The Big Boom: NBA's Next Wave of Dominant Centers

The NFL Draft has officially wrapped up, and for sports fans, that means all eyes are shifting toward the next major event on the calendar: the NBA Draft. As part of our ongoing series breaking down this year's top prospects—see point guards and shooting guards—today we turn our focus to the giants of the game. Let’s dive into some of the most skilled, athletic, and promising big men ready to make their mark on the league next season.

Khaman Maluach (Duke)

C/O to essentiallysports.com

7'2" — 8.6 PPG — 6.6 RPG — 1.3 BPG — 71.2 FG %

Eighteen-year-old South Sudanese standout Khaman Maluach officially declared for the NBA Draft on Sunday night, opting to forgo the remainder of his college eligibility after a stellar season at Duke. Playing for one of the best teams in college basketball, Maluach shot a blistering 71.2% from the field, showcasing his elite efficiency around the rim. With a game reminiscent of Walker Kessler and Rudy Gobert, he brings all the physical tools NBA teams covet: size, mobility, soft touch, and legitimate rim protection. Defensively, Maluach is a towering force, capable of erasing shots at the rim while also switching onto smaller guards on the perimeter. His offensive game remains a work in progress—he’s still developing as a screener, shooter, and shot creator and his lack of physical strength showed in the final four. Still, Maluach's upside gives him the potential to anchor an NBA defense for years to come.

Derik Queen (Maryland)

C/O to sports.yahoo.com

6'10" — 16.5 PPG — 9.0 RPG — 1.1 BPG — 52.6 FG %

Maryland’s Derik Queen enters the ballot as the top sophomore big man in the class, bringing a blend of old-school interior scoring and modern offensive versatility. With a soft touch, crafty post moves, and sharp passing instincts, Queen dominates inside, drawing fouls at a high rate and showcasing a rare skill set for a player his size. His conditioning and perimeter defense remain areas of concern, but his offensive game is polished beyond his years. Queen’s buzzer-beating, leaning game-winner to send Maryland to the Sweet 16 became one of the defining moments of March Madness and highlighted his ability to create off the dribble, dazzle with spin moves, and finish creatively—reminiscent of one Naz Reid. If he can extend his velvet touch to the perimeter, Queen has the tools to become a centerpiece for an NBA offense. Even now, his interior scoring, playmaking vision, and magnetic rebounding give him star-

level upside that will be hard for teams to pass on.

Danny Wolf (Michigan)

C/O to reuters.com

7'0" — 13.2 PPG — 9.7 RPG — 3.6 APG — 1.1 BPG — 49.7 FG %

Michigan’s Danny Wolf enters the draft as one of the most unique big men available, combining guard and forward skills into a 7-foot frame. A pass-first forward-center who can shoot, handle the ball, and operate from the high post, Wolf has drawn comparisons to Lauri Markkanen and Kelly Olynyk. While he isn’t the quickest or most athletic defender, his ability to serve as a secondary playmaker at the center position gives him a rare offensive versatility. Wolf helped lead Michigan to the Sweet 16 with risky passes, step-back jumpers, and off-the-dribble jumpshots, capped off by a 20-point showcase against Auburn that caught the basketball world's attention. Despite a shaky three-point percentage and a tendency for turnovers, Wolf's game will only continue to grow. With arguably the most unique size-skill blend in this draft, Wolf is a high-upside project who could become a valuable rotation piece if he puts it all together.

Asa Newell (Georgia)

C/O to 247sports.com

6'11" — 15.4 PPG — 6.9 RPG — 1.0 BPG — 54.3 FG %

Although primarily a power forward, 6'11" Asa Newell has all the tools necessary to control a frontcourt at the next level. The Georgia product showed out across 33 games this season, notably against Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament, finishing with 20 points and eight rebounds behind a steady mix of floaters and athletic finishes around the rim. While Newell isn’t ready to carry an offense for long stretches—and his shooting remains a work in progress—he’s flashed enough promise as the next Chris Bosh—a plus-sized floor spacer and secondary playmaker in dribble handoff sets. Defensively, Newell’s mobility, shot-blocking instincts, and mobility stand out, giving him the potential to guard multiple positions in spurts. His production, size, movement, and touch around the basket make him a safe pick for any team. If his perimeter shot fully develops and further refines his offensive game, Newell becomes a high-reward prospect teams looking for immediate production won’t want to pass on.

Johni Broome (Auburn)

C/O to thespun.com

6'10" — 18.6 PPG — 10.8 RPG — 2.1 BPG — 51.0 FG %

A nightly double-double threat, Johni Broome emerged as the flagship of Auburn basketball this season, leading the Tigers to a Final Four berth and establishing himself as one of the most productive two-way players in college basketball. At 6'10" and 240 pounds, Broome brings a combination of strength, touch, and timing on both ends of the floor. A relentless rebounder and disciplined shot blocker, Broome anchored Auburn’s interior defense while showcasing some improved passing reads this season. However, his NBA translation comes with real concerns. Broome is not a vertical athlete and does most of his work below the rim, which may limit his ability to finish over length when he gets to the pros. Despite these, Broome’s size, toughness, interior scoring, and mature, winning mindset should earn him a chance to contribute as a dependable reserve big for years to come.

Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton)

C/O to nytimes.com

7'1" — 19.2 PPG — 8.7 RPG — 2.7 BPG — 65.3 FG %

Ryan Kalkbrenner is a name more people need to be talking about heading into the draft. Standing over seven feet with a 7'5" wingspan, Kalkbrenner dominated college basketball as a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year and the 2025 NCAA Defensive Player of the Year. He anchors the paint with elite size and instinct and excels in drop coverage. Though primarily a rim protector and interior scorer, he’s quietly developed some passing and shooting skills, hinting at potential offensive growth if his three-point shot continues to improve. Since he's already 23, the upside isn’t sky-high unless the jumper becomes a real weapon, but his combination of refined post scoring, defensive discipline, and efficient play around the basket gives him one of the highest floors among big men in the draft. Concerns about his lateral quickness and ability to defend the perimeter will limit his versatility, but for teams looking for a polished anchor with size and smarts, Kalkbrenner is a strong pick.

Joan Beringer (Olimpija)

C/O to the rookiewire.usatoday.com

6'11" — 5.0 PPG — 4.6 RPG — 1.4 BPG — 61.2 FG %

For a player who hadn’t even touched a basketball three years ago, Joan Beringer's rapid rise is nothing short of remarkable. Standing 6'10" with a 7'3" wingspan and explosive athleticism, Beringer impressed this season in the ABA League and EuroCup tournaments. With comparisons to Willie Cauley-Stein and Yves Missi, he’s a high-motor big man whose defensive versatility sets him apart. Beringer moves incredibly well for his size, capable of flagging down guards, rotating in space, and protecting the rim with a natural-born instinct. Offensively, Beringer stays within his role: setting hard screens, diving hard to the basket, and finishing above the rim as a vertical lob threat. However, his half-court skillset is extremely raw. He struggles to create his own shot, lacks polish in the post, and hasn't shown reliable touch outside the paint. Still, Beringer's size, mobility, defensive upside, and effort level give him a clear path to carving out an NBA role, even more so if his offense catches up.

Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)

C/O to babcockhoops.com

6'10" — 14.5 PPG — 8.5 RPG — 2.0 BPG — 53.2 FG %

Thomas Sorber took Georgetown by storm this season, emerging as one of the most productive and intriguing big men in the country. At 6'10", Sorber blends old-school toughness with modern versatility. He finishes through contact, sets hard screens, makes smart passes out of the post, and uses a soft touch around the rim—all while anchoring the paint defensively with strong timing and disruptive instincts (2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals per game). Though not an elite vertical athlete, Sorber’s strength and footwork allow him to consistently cause problems for offenses. His mid-range jumper and occasional three-point attempts haven’t been efficient, but his confidence and willingness to shoot suggest potential for growth. A foot injury sidelined him in mid-February and limited his exposure against top competition this NCAA season. Still, Sorber’s bag gives him lottery pick upside—and if he taps into his shooting flashes, he could return to Top 10 value.

Maxime Raynaud (Stanford)

7'1" — 20.2 PPG — 10.6 RPG — 1.4 BPG — 46.7 FG %

At 7'1" with a soft shooting touch, Maxime Raynaud enters the draft as one of the most skilled and productive big men available. Drawing comparisons to Kristaps Porzingis and Lauri Markkanen, Raynaud leveled up each season at Stanford, evolving into a true offensive weapon who can pop threes, get to the rim and make passes. His 2024–25 campaign quietly made him one of the most statistically dominant players in college basketball. Raynaud boasts excellent touch around the basket, smart footwork, and promising midrange and perimeter shooting, even if his 29.4% from three undersells his long-term potential as a floor spacer. He made the second-most threes by a 7-footer in a single season behind Lauri Markkanen. However, Raynaud’s lack of athleticism could cap his ceiling, particularly on the defensive end where he opts to play drop coverage rather than switching onto guards. Even so, Raynaud’s rare blend of size and scoring versatility gives him a clear path to carving out a role in today's NBA.

With prospects like these leading the way, it’s clear that the next wave of big men is shaping this year’s draft into something special.

As we move closer to draft night, stay tuned to Fans Only Sportz Network for more breakdowns, updates, and coverage on all the rising stars ready to make their mark at the next level.

Catch you next time!